Yankees lose Rivera, game against Royals: AL roundup

Mariano Rivera tore a ligament in his right knee before the New York Yankees lost 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

The Associated Press · May 4, 2012

In this image taken from video, New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera, right, is being carted off the field after twisting his right knee shagging fly balls during batting practice before the Yankees' game against the Kansas City Royals. (YES Network/Associated Press)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mariano Rivera tore a ligament in his right knee before the New York Yankees lost 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

The 42-year-old right-hander was carted off the field after twisting his right knee shagging fly balls during batting practice.

Manager Joe Girardi revealed the severity of the injury after the game. Royals team doctor Vincent Key diagnosed a torn ACL after looking at the MRI.

"This is bad, there's no question about it," Girardi. "

Mike Moustakas matched a career high with three RBIs and made a defensive gem in the ninth for Kansas City Royals, backing a strong start by Danny Duffy (2-2). Jonathan Broxton was helped by two stellar defensive plays to finish for the save.

Jeff Niemann (2-3) allowed three runs and seven hits over 5 1-3 innings as the Rays extended their winning streak to five with their 11th victory in 12 games.

The Mariners concluded 10-day, 10-game road trip with a season-high six-game losing streak. The skid came right after a four-game winning streak that included a sweep of Detroit to begin their three-city trip.

The Rays scored all of their runs in the second inning, with Keppinger and Jennings delivering the biggest hits of the day off Kevin Millwood (0-3).

CHICAGO — Jason Kipnis hit a three-run homer and finished with a career-high four RBIs, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

Kipnis, a native of suburban Chicago, also tripled in a run, walked and scored twice.

Justin Masterson (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, holding the White Sox to three runs over 6 1-3 innings. Masterson improved to 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his six career road starts against the White Sox.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Brandon Morrow pitched a three-hitter for his second career shutout and J.P. Arencibia hit a three-run homer to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.

Morrow (3-1) won his third straight start, striking out eight and walking none to help the Blue Jays open an 11-game trip with their fifth win in their last six games overall.

Toronto added two more runs on a throwing error by converted third baseman Mark Trumbo.

The only hits by the Angels were a pair of singles by rookie Mike Trout and a leadoff double in the ninth by Trumbo that ended a string of 14 consecutive batters retired by Morrow.

Dan Haren (1-2) was charged with five runs — three earned — and five hits over seven innings in his sixth start for the Angels.